Casket construction



Jan. 15, 1952 McEWAN 2,582,841

CASKET CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 15, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVEN TOR.

Jan. 15, 1952 J, McEwAN 2,582,841

' CASKET CONSTRUCTION- Filed Jan. 15, 1948 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

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I Afro/Fm: X5

Jan. 15, 1952 J, McEwAN 2,582,841

' CASKET CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 15, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. WkM

Patented Jan. 15, 1952 UNITED PATENT OFFICE GGNSTRUCTI'ON Iames'J1.McEwan;,Batesville, Indl, assi'gnor to The" Bate'svllle'cisket Company, Batesville,v lnd'i, a corporation of Indiana applicetlonlanum" 15, lfi lfiaserial No. 2,481

teams; 11.

This invention relates; to burial. caskets and has particular reference-to improvementsiit the. lid pull-down mechanism. and hinge construction for hermetically sealed caskets.

The present improvements are designed for application to a structure of the type" disclosed in the patentto Robert B..'Purkiss,.No. 1323x741. issued July 6; 19431 In general it has been the object' oi" the present inventor to improve the operating, characteristics, of the sealing apparatus so as to permit. the sealing and looking operation to be performed quickly, smoothly and positivelm and' in the case of the cut top casket,- toalign accurately the two lid sections to facilitatesealing the seam between the sections.

A further object has been. to improve the de sign of the pull down mechanismiror the lid' and its relationship to the sealingstrip to provide a more uniform sealing pressure about'ithe" periphery of thecasket andtherebyimprove'the effectiveness of the seal;

The improved structure is. designed for application either to casketsiof" the cut'top'st'yle which embody a sectional lid'respe'ctively'forthe" foot and head portions: of the'ca'sket, orrtosingle lid caskets. In eitherin'st'an'ce a" gasket or'se'aling strip is applied between the casket" and lid or lids, and the" pull down mechanism serves" t compress the sealing gasket between the=casket and the lidto seal the casket hermetically prior to burial. In the instance o-ithecuttopcasket'; the sealing gasket extends also'aoross the-*seam between the two lid sections with-its oppositeends joiningthe body seal; Thisgasket section also is compressed by-thepulhdownmechanism to establish a seal between the"lid-sections;-

In order to reduce producti'oncosts and"- to provide caskets of asuniform.quadityg the casket body and .lid are fabricatedilpreferablyfrom sheet metal stampingsr. Therespective casket-- and lid-'- shells may be assembled completely as units;- with the lid hingedly mounted onxthescasket and the pull-down and lockingmechanism installeds the casket shellin Working; order. Upholsteryiorz' lining units for they lid and casket shellszniay: then be installed to' completeithe assem'blyz1 In order to facilitate the.. application-10ft thewu'piholstery or liners, the present structure incurporates suitable nailing strips or rails-preferably: of wood, to whichthe linen unitsrmayi be.-.-at-- tached. These rails provide reinforcing elements. upon which to anchor the pulldownsbolts which" form a partof thelock-ingrapparatus; Thain proved structure. therefore, expedites the fabri cation of the casket .unitsandcoincidentally, the;

' crank opening of the casket.

plied after the casket is sealed and permanently casketvwhen the lid is closed. This looks the foot section securely to the casket and prevents shifting, dueto horizontal pressure exerted by the locking apparatus when the casket is sealed. When the. head section is closed it overlies and I engages against a vertical shoulder formed inthe footsection,.therefore, the single dowel pin of the foot section prevents lateral displace" ment-of both lid sections when the latch mechanism is actuated.

After the lid or lids are closed, the pull-down anddockingappa'ratus is actuated by a suitableinstrumentality, such as a crank, as in the above mentionedPurkiss.patent. This tool is inserted from theexterior of the casket and engages the end of an actuating screw, Whichupon being rotated, shiits alongitudinal locking barin the appropriate direction to pull down the lid'and apply the sealing pressure; It will be apparent that an opening must be provided for insertion of the tool and-that the opening thus provided tends: to. afiect' adversely the seal provided between the lid and-the casket. To prevent leakage" through" this opening into the interior of the casket'it has' been the practice to provide a packinggland'to seal ofithe' exposed end of the screw" shaft but this structure has not been entirety "satisfactory; Therefore this packing'has been eliminated in the improved'arr'angement by" the provision of a closure-capiwhich is arranged tU-In-akea; positive sealing engagement with the .This cap is ap-' seals thecrank opening;

Anotherprevailing'praetice has been to pro vide collapsible exposed lid braces at one or both endsofithe casketto hold the lid open'during the funeral: services, objectionable because of its appearance and because of diihculty. in manipulation; In'the presentstructure-the braces have been eliminated-by the provision of latch means cooperatingwith theethe'lid hinges which serve automatically to latch the lid in open position. Thelatching apparatusiis concealed within the confines of the casketshell and operates automatically; to latch and-stabilize the lidinopen position when the This 1 apparatus is somewhat lid is fully raised. The automatic operation of the latch apparatus permits the lid or lids to be raised and latched by one person conveniently.

Other objects and advantages not specifically set forth will be more fully apparent from the following specification with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a single lid casket embodying the present improvements.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic top plan view of a casket of the single lid type, the lid being removed to illustrate in general, the arrangement of the lid holding apparatus and pull-down mechanism.

Figure 3 is a similar diagrammatic View illustrating a cut top or sectional lid casket.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary front view of" a casket of the cut top variety with the sectional lids closed showing a pull-down bolt in locked position and showing the dowel pin as used in this type of casket.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the forward edge of a casket, partially in section, illustrating the locking bar and its actuating means mounted therein.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary front view partially in section projected from Figure 5, showing the locking bar in conjunction with a portion of the casket lid structure, the locking bar in unlocked position and with a locking bolt in position for engagement by the bar.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing the locking bar in its locked position drawing the locking bolt and casket lid in pressure engagement with the sealing strip.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8B, Figure 7, showing the locking bar in locked position and showing the bearing means for the screw shaft which actuates the locking bar.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on line 99, Figure 6, showing one of the spacer studs which support the locking bar.

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on line Ill-Ill, Figure 4, showing the dowel pin as used in the cut top caskets.

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View detailing the cap and casing used to seal the crank opening for the locking bar after the lid is closed and sealed.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line |2'l2 of Figure 2, showing the hinge and a portion of the lid in closed position and the latch mechanism associated therewith.

Figure 13 is a sectional view similar to Figure 12 showing the hinge and lid in open position with the latch mechanism engaged to latch the lid in open position;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary view showing the hinge structure as viewed from inside the casket with the lid in open position as projected from Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a top plan view of the hinge latching mechanism in unlatched position, taken along line l5-l5 of Figure 12.

Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 15 taken along line |6l6 of Figure 13 showing the apparatus in latching position.

Figure 17 is a view of the hinge locking mechanism used for a single hinge in the unlatched position.

Referrin to Figure 1 of the drawings, a casket unit incorporating the present improvements is indicated generally at Ill. The unit embodies a casket body H and a lid l2 which is hingedly mounted upon the casket body along the rear- 4 ward edge thereof. The forward edge of the lid and casket incorporates a pull-down and looking apparatus indicated generally at l3 by means of which the lid is drawn into sealing engagement with a gasket to hermetically seal the unit. Apparatus indicated generally at H is installed in conjunction with the lid hinges IE to latch the lid in open position automatically.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3 the lid sealing and holding mechanism is capable of installation either in a single lid casket or in a cut top or dual lid casket. In both instances the pulldown mechanism for the lids is identical. In the case of the cut-type lid illustrated in Figure 3, the lid holding mechanism follows generally the same design as that of the single lid with the exception that two pairs of independent latch and hinge members are provided for the foot and head sections respectively to permit the foot section to be lowered independently of the head section. In the case of the single lid structure as shown in Figure 2, the casket unit may be provided with three hinge and latching elements, two of which may be connected together for unitary operation while the third is operated independently. The purpose of this arrangement is to permit the lid to be conveniently raised and latched open by one person but to require that two persons be present, one at each end, to release the latches so as to avoid the possibility oi accidents in lowering the lid.

Lid pull-down and sealing mechanism Referring specifically to the pull-down apparatus it will be noted that the upper edge of the casket body is flanged as at IE; to present a flat bearing surface corresponding to the flanged edge l6a of lid 12. A sealing strip, hereinafter described, is disposed between these flanges to establish a seal between the lid and body. As shown in Figures 1 and 9, flange I 6 extends completely around the periphery of the casket and in conjunction with a series of flanged support brackets l7, located to the interior of a casket shell, serves to mount interiorly of the shell, a co-extensive filler or nailing strip I8 formed preferably of wood. The support brackets I! may be spot welded to the inside of the casket for which purpose each is provided with a vertical flange IS in contact with and secured to the inside of the casket wall (Figure 9). Disposed within the filler strip l8 along the forward edge of the casket is a longitudinal channel or locking bar 29, the upper face of the nailing strip being channeled or routed out-as at 2| to receive the bar 20. Thus, the channel rail 20 is housed between flange l6 and within the nailing strip I8. The nailing strip is omitted from the rearward edge of the casket body to provide space for the lid supporting apparatus [4 and hinges I5 (Figure 12), hereinafter described.

A correspondin nailing strip frame 22 is disposed within the marginal edge of lid 12 on the inner side of flange [6a. The forward rail or nailing strip of the lid provides an anchorage for the pull-down bolts 23 which cooperate with the locking bar 20 as hereinafter described (Figure 4) and the rearward longitudinal nailing strip of the lid provides an anchorage for the swinging members of the hinges l5, hereinafter described. It is to be noted that the respective body and lid nailing strips constitute complementary reinforcing members to permit the members to be pulled forcibly together for sealing, without appreciable springing of either part, and

5. the sealing. function of the structure thereby improved.

Specifically described with reference to Fig. ures 5 to '10 inclusive, the locking bar 20 is chan nel shaped in cross-section and.- includes a series of longitudinal slots, onefrespect-ively for each. of the pull-down or draw boltsr23 and one re spectively for each of'the spacer studs-:24 which. clamp the nailing strip 18 securelybetween the. flange it and bracket l'l (Figure 9'). The bar 20, of course, is free tobe translated longitudinally relative to the spacersand pull-down bolts. The slots 25 for the pull-down bolts are keyhole shaped as shown in. Figures 5 and 6 so asto provide enlarged openings as through which may pass the heads 27 of the pull-downbolts when the locking bar is in' unlocked position to perm-it the lid to be opened. or closed. Therefore when the lid is closed, the ends ofthepull-downbolts will pass through the openings 28- of flange l6 and openings 26, to extend; downwardly through the locking bar as shown in- Figures 6, 7-and-8;

Along the opposite edges of the longitudinal slot portions 28, are disposed pairs of pull-down skids 29, secured to bar 26- and adapted to engage the heads 2? of the pull-down bolts when the lock bar 22? is translated to pull-down position, as shown in Figure '71 For this purpose, the leading edges of the skids are inclined as at 3!) to provide a wedging action against the heads of the pull-down bolts. It will'be noted in Figure 8 that each pair of skids 2-9 is spaced apart to clear the shank 3| of the pull-down bolts and to engage the upper edge of the head 21. The shanks 3| of the pull-down bolts pass upwardly through the lid nailing strip i8; and-are provided with an integral flange 32 seated-against the lidfiange lea. The upper endof. the sank extends through the nailing strip and is screw-threaded as at 33 to receive anut and-washer 3 3 to clamp securely the pull-down bolt to the nailing strip; By virtue of thefiange 32 the bolt serve additionally to secure the. nailing strip to the lid flange.

The spacers 24 (Figures 6 and-9 previously mentioned, are in the formof'studs each-having a flat head 35 engaging the upper flange of bracket I1 and a: shank .35. extending upwardly through the nailingstrip. Ill. The upperlend of. shank 351s counters-turned as at. 31 toprovide a shoulder 38 for the lockingtbarzll. The counter.- turned portion 3] extends through the slotiormednthe locking bar for. this purpose (Eigurefi), and the upper .end bears-against the undersure face .oithe casket bodyrfiange It. The upper end of th pa er is drilled and tapped-.topreceive av screw ill, the headof. which bears against the.

the previously described pull-down bolts 23. The

lower pcrtionof the pin includes an integral flange 32 and the upper end of the bolt passes through the lid nailing strip 22 and is secured thereto by means of a'nutjand washer 34, as previously described. Insteadof the headed lower end shown with reference tothepull -down bolts,

the lower end of the dow'el pin isltaperedss at; pasm p ss hroushan pening; 4.3.p TQvided in. th flan e. It; or. thisepurpqses The; locking;

r 1 is provided: with. a. longitudinal; slot 442-; accommodate the lower end of the dowel pin.

By. virtue of the taper .42, the -.d.o-.w. lpin stahiishes aclosefit with the hole 43' in flange. .|;6 so that the lid section is securely locked against longitudinalmotion. relative to the casket body; It is torbe noted at this point with reference to Figure that the taper pin is applied to. the foot section 45 of a cut type or sectional lid casket. In thisv arrangement a set of three pull-down bolts is employed, one for the foot section, as. indicated diagrammatically at Mi in Figure 3, and two for the head section, as indicated at t-lil. It will further be noted that the. hole isior dowel pin ii islocated slightlyto the right of the joint between thehead and foot sections,

and upon the other side of the joint is located one of the holes 4? for thepull-down bolt.

In closing the casket lids prior to burial, the.

section is drawn down tightly to compress and establish a seal across the transverse seam. By

virtue of the overhanging ledge bearing against the shoulder of the foot section, the; head sec tion pulls down the foot section at the seam. It will be apparent that the dowel pin thus serves to stabilize both lid sections against the longitudinal force imposed upon the pull-down bolts due to the longitudinal, movement of the pulldown or looking bar during the sealing operation. The dowel pin also may be applied for the same purpose to the one-piece lid style of casket. In either instance, the translation of the latching bar may tend to shift the lid thereby transmitting stress to the hinges, and'the dowel pin serves to isolate the hinges from this force.

Between the underside of flange i6 andthe locking bar 26 is disposed a series of spacer blocks (Figure 6) These blocks preferably are secured to the bar by welding or the like and serve to reduce the sliding friction of the bar and to maintain the bar against the upward pressure exerted by the skids during the locking motion of the bar. sustained between the shoulders 38 of the spacer studs and the spacer blocks 48 so as to be ac- Bar-2i) is actuated, for locking and unlocking,

by means of a screw shaft which is rotated byv a detachable crank. The crankisfitted into an opening provided at one end of the casket and accessible through a receptacle having a detachable closure head which may be sealed ofi after the casket is closed and sealed as hereinafter disclosed. Described in detail withreference to v Figures 5 to 7 the actuating screw shaft 59 has its inner end inscrew-threaded-engagement with a connecting block 5! which is welded or other wise secured to the end of the bar 20. A pair of stop collars 52 and 53 is provided at opposite ends of, the screw shaft and secured in position by means of taper pins 54. The travel range of block 5| thus is limited to the distance between the stop collars. In unlocked positionthe con nectingblockresides against the-left ha nd collar 52': as shoyvn .in Figure iizancithe;locked-p osi The bar thus is engaged and tion against the right hand collar 53 as shown in Figure 7.

For purposes of identification the actuating shaft 50 may be divided into three sections, the threaded section 55 engaging connecting block SI, an unthreaded journal portion 56, and an extended portion 51 preferably hexagonal or square in cross section to provide engagement with a crank or other operating instrumentality as indicated at 58 in broken lines (Figure '7). The unthreaded portion 56 of the shaft is rotatably journalled in a bearing bushing 60 secured by welding or other means to the flange 5| of a bearing bracket 62 (Figures 5 and 8). Bearing bracket 62 preferably is formed of sheet metal and embodies a horizontal flange 63 at its upper end, spot welded or otherwise secured to the flange I6 of the casket body and includes a depending vertical flange having its lower end 64 secured to the interior wall of the casket body as by spot welding. It is to be noted in Figure 5 that the right hand stop collar 53 abuts against one end of bushing 69 and a stop collar 65, which may be an integral part of the shaft or which may be in the form of a collar pinned to the actuating shaft, engages the opposite end of the bushing. This structure provides a rugged bearing support for theactuating shaft and maintains the longitudinal position of the shaft against the longitudinal thrust developed when the shaft is rotated to draw down or release the lid.

The sealing strip extending around the body between the lid and body flanges I6 and I 6a may follow the structure disclosed in the aforementioned Purkiss patent with the transverse lid seal, in the case of the cut top casket, having its ends arranged to make a sealing engagement with the body strip when the lids are closed and sealed. As shown in Figure 9 the body sealing strip 66 preferably includes a series of corrugations or ribs 6'! to permit a greater flow of material under compression. Holes are provided in the gasket to accommodate the pull-down bolts 23, the taper pins 4i and the hinge arms. Referring to Figure 6 it will be noted that a clearance hole 68, shaped to accommodate the flange 32, is provided and a similar clearance hole is provided for the flange of the taper pin as illustrated in Figure 10. Likewise as shown in Figure 13 a clearance hole I is provided around the swinging arm of the hinge. In this case a marginal ridge may be formed around the circumference of the hole to be compressed when the lid is closed, causing the sealing material to flow in and embrace and seal the arm of the hinge thereby rendering more effective the casket seal.

Lid holding mechanism Referring to Figures 2 and 3 and 12 to 17 inelusive, the casket is equipped with automatic latching means to hold one or both of the lids in elevated position during the services. This apparatus operates in conjunction with the hinges G to establish automatically a locking engagement with the hinge when the lid is raised to the position shown in Figure 13. Described in detail, the hinge It comprises a curved arm 52 having a shank I3 extending through the framing member or nailing strip 22. end of shank i3 is screw-threaded as at 14 to receive a nut and washer 15. A sleeve or spacer l6, co-extensive with and surrounding the shank 13, extends through the nailing strip to permit the nut to establish a clampingen- The inner gagement of the flared flange 1'! against the flange ISa of the lid shell. The arm 12 which extends from the shank I3 is arcuate in shape, being developed in an arc, the center of which coincides with the center of hinge pin 80. Since the arm is curved to fit the radius of its swing, the arm may swing relative to the hole 10 without interference. It will be noted in Figure 15 that arm I2 is circular in cross section so as to facilitate the sealing function of the gasket hole relative to the hinge arm.

The curved arm portion I2 terminates in a straight arm section 8 I, the opposite end of which pivotally joins the hinge pin (Figure 13). Pin 80 is located beneath flange iii of the body shell and forms a part of a bracket generally indicated at 82 (Figure 14). Bracket 82 comprises a U-shaped body portion 83 having integral flanges 84-84 at opposite ends which are secured by means of screws and nuts 85 extending through the flange I6. A reinforcing bracket 85, somewhat similar to the brackets I! for the body nailing strip I8, is utilized to stiffen the body shell at the hinges. This bracket includes a horizontal flange 8! disposed between the mounting flanges 84 of the U-shaped hinge brackets 82 and flange Iii. Therefore the flange 87 is securely clamped by the screws and nuts 85 between the hinge bracket 82 and flange I6. The bracket 86 includes a downwardly depending reinforcing flange 88 welded or otherwise secured to the body shell as shown in Figures 12 and 13.

As shown in Figures 15 and 16 the hinge brackets further include a connecting section 96 integral with the rear edges of the vertical legs of the U-shaped bod portion and the upper portion of this metal section is curled as at 9i to receive the hinge pin 80. It is to be noted that hinge brackets 82 are stamped from sheet metal and the sections 96 and 9| may be a continuation of the rearward edge of the U-shaped body portion 83. This provides a rigid unit not only providing a support or mounting for the swinging arm I2 of the hinges but also forms a cooperating part of the automatic lid latching mechanism generally indicated at I4, hereinafter described.

The lid latching apparatus I4 is actuated by actuating bars and 96 as illustrated diagrammatically in Figures 2 and 3. In the instance ofthe one piece lid structure illustrated in Figure 2, the casket lid is carried upon three hinges and in the case of the cut top casket, each lid section is carried by a pair of hinges. The latching apparatus is identical for each hinge except that in the one piece lid, two of the three hinges are latched by common bar 95, while the remaining hinge is locked by a separate bar 96. In the case of the cut top casket shown in Figure 3, the hinges are arranged in pairs, each pair being actuated in common by a respective actuating bar 95 of the one piece type similar to the one shown in Figure 2. Although it is quite feasible to actuate all of the hinge latch devices from a common actuating bar, it has been found desirable in order to prevent accidents to require that more than one person be present when the lid is lowered. Thus, in the single lid type of casket the lid may conveniently be raised by one person and automatically latched in open position but when it is desired to unlatch and lower the lid it is impossible for one person to actuate both latch bars, since the bars are located at opposite ends of the casket. The design of the latching a paratusmakesitnecessary to raise the lid sliglfitly'to-relieve therlatchingmechanism. of the weight or the; lid. Consequently 'afterrelease, the lid supported and lowered by two persons and the: possibility of having the iid slip from the:- grasp is avoided. It hasbeen found also that. there is'some danger of tipping; the casket when it is: 'moi-inted upon the, wheeled carriages commonly employed in transporting the casket due to. the weight of the lid and the fact that such carriages are rather unstable. Therefore the double latch requiring the'services of two persons; one. at each end, serves as a precautionary measure. 7 I

Described in detail (Figures i2 176 17), the latchingmechanism for the lid constitutes a sector 9 lying upon the upper surface of the cross web 98: vertical of the U-shaped bracketia'l'. As shown in Figure. the sector is pivoted as at 3.9; to the web. 9.8. and includes an extended arm lDil having itsv end pivoted as at illl to the actuati'ng bar 95.. As shown in Figure 13 the sector 911 is. arranged to lie. between the web. 98 and the arm. section 8i of the hinge. In the position 'shotm. in. Figure 13. it. will be. apparentv that the sector 9:1: serves. as a stop. to. prevent. the hinge from returning to its normal closed position thus locking the lid in its raised position. A spring N12 is disposed in tension between the bar 95 and the bracket 82. For this purpose the bracket is provided with a lug I03 and the actuating bar is provided with a pin I04 for anchoring the opposite end of the spring. It will be apparent in Figure 15 that with the lid in its closed position, as shown, spring I02 tends to shift the actuating bar to the left causing the latching sector 91 to be urged in the right hand direction against the curved hinge arms 12. When the lid is elevated the arm will swing from its position shown in Figure 12 to the position shown in Figure 13 and the actuating bar 95 and sector 91 will snap to the latching position beneath the straight hinge section 8! as shown in Figure 16, thus automatically latching the lid in its elevated position.

As shown in Figure 15 the left hand end of actuating bar 95 includes a right angular extension I 05 having an upturned end I06 providing a hand hold for actuating the bar. The end I85 extends slightly beyond the interior confines of the casket and the casket lining (not shown) may be provided with a slot for this purpose.

The double hinge latch mechanism shown in Figures 15 and 16 is applicable either to the single or to the sectional lid type of casket for controlling the pair of hinges toward the head or Final sealing operation As shown in Figures 5 and 11 the casket body is provided with an opening into which is fitted and sealed a sleeve I08 by brazing or welding so as to establish a seal with the casket body shell. A threaded ferrule or bushing I09 is brazed or otherwise secured in a sealed manner to the outer end of the sleeve I08 to receive a closure cap I II! in screw-threaded engagement therewith.

Bushing I09 is provided with a shoulder. Ill against which is seated a gasket H2 :formedof rubber or similar pliable material. When the closure cap H8 is tightened upon the bushing, gasket H2 is compressed between the end of the closure cap and the shoulder Hi to establish an hermetic seal betweenthe cap and the bushing. The interior of the. casket therefore is effectually sealed off from the atmosphere when the cap. is tightened in place. As shown in Figure 7 the cap is removed to insert the. crank for actuation of the latching mechanism and after finally rotating the crank to its sealing position the cap is applied and. tightened (Figure 11) thus completing the. sealingv operation.

Prior to burial, for instance. atthe close of the funeral services, the lid or lids are closed and the crank or key 58 is inserted into the receptacle I08 and engaged upon the actuating stem. 5?... The crank is: turned a number of times so as to shift the. locking bar 20 to its pull-down position shown in Figure '7, at which time the stop collar 53' will be encountered to prevent further rotation of the crank. The lid. is then clamped and sealed: as illustrated in Figure 7. Prior to. burial the cap. Ht is replaced on its threaded bushing and tightened to establish a seal with the gasket H2, thereby hermetically sealing the interior of the gasket against the entry of air.

By the use of the wood nailing strips l8 and 22 it will be apparent that the casket body and lid shells may be completely fabricated in working order, prior to installing the linings. By this procedure the assembly job may be done most efiiciently since the men need not exercise special care to avoid soiling the linings during assembly and adjustment. When everything is in working order the linings may be tacked to the nailing strips to complete the casket for shipment. The nailing strips thereby serve not only to reinforce the structure but also to reduce the time and cost of assembly by simplifying both the mechanical assembly of the working parts and the installation of the liner units.

The improved casket unit is of minimum weight and of attractive appearance. The absence of the usual lid braces enhances its appearance and the mechanism for establishing the seal is, of course, completely concealed. The improved sealing mechanism by virtue of concealment and rapid actuation, permits the casket to be closed and sealed without much more work than usually is involved in closing and locking the ordinary unsealed casket and thus permits this operation to be performed quickly by the funeral director or assistant at the church or funeral home in the presence of the relatives and friends of the deceased without attracting undue attention.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A sealed sheet metal casket structure comprising; a body shell and a lid shell, said respective shells having corresponding inturned marginal flanges, a sealing gasket secured to one of said flanges and adapted to be engaged by the other of said flanges to seal said body and lid shells, a respective framing member secured within said body and lid shells to the interior of said respective flanges, a plurality of pulldown bolts anchored in said lid shell framing member, and securing said framing member to said lid flange to stiffen the same, a longitudinally translatable pull-down bar disposed within said body shell framing member and adapted to engage said pull-down bolts to clamp said lid shell to the body shell, a plurality of brackets extending between said body framing member and body shell, studs extending through said brackets, framing member and body flange to clamp the same together and stifien said flange.

2. A sealed casket structure comprising: a body shell and a lid shell, sealing means between said shells, said lid shell having a plurality of pull-down bolts depending therefrom, a latching bar mounted in said body shell and having a plurality of slots for receiving respective pulldown bolts of said lid shell, inclined skids secured to said latching bar, one of said skids associated with each of said latching bar slots and pulldown bolts, said pull-down bolts having enlarged heads, the heads of said pull-down bolts upon closure of said lid shell normally depending only to a level above that of the lowest point of its corresponding inclined skid whereby longitudinal translation of said skid toward its corresponding pull-down bolt causes said bolt to ride downwardly along said skid compressing the sealing means between said shells, means for longitudinally translating said latching bar and the inclined skids carried thereon into engagement with said pull-down bolts, and a dowel pin an- 12 chored in one of said shells the other of said shells having'an aperture to receive said pin and to engage said pin against the side wall of the shell surrounding the aperture to secure said lid against longitudinal stress due to the translation of said latching bar and the resistance ofiered by the engagement of said pull-down bolts with the inclined skids of said latching bar.

JAMES J. McEWAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 493,096 Kregel Mar. 7, 1893 599,043 Lautner Feb. 15, 1898 601,037 Garrison Mar. 22, 1898 640,624 Boicourt Jan. 2, 1900 801,264 Post Oct. 10, 1905 1,203,169 Bartlett Oct. 31, 1916 2,262,487 Blrr et al Nov. 11, 1941 2,323,674 Purkiss July 6, 1943 2,417,756 Hillenbrand Mar. 18, 1947 

